Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson
Encyclopedia
Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson (1820–1879) was an early white settler in Robertson's Colony in Texas. His father was the colony's founder Sterling C. Robertson. Brought to Texas to learn the Spanish language, he translated for both Robertson's Colony and later the Texas General Land Office. He practiced law in Milam County. Robertson was a postmaster for the Republic of Texas
, and the leader of a volunteer group who aided Alexander Somervell in border disputes. By 1844, he had been promoted to the rank of Colonel in the Republic of Texas militia. Robertson was one of the delegates who signed the Texas Order of Secession in 1861, and served as aide-de-camp to General Henry McCulloch. The Col. Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson Plantation in Salado is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bell County, Texas
.
Sterling Clack Robertson
, the founder of Robertson's Colony
in Texas. Empresario Robertson never married, but he acknowledged his son with King. Young Elijah's grandfather was Captain Elijah Robertson, who left Brunswick County, Virginia
in the 18th Century to join family members and other early white settlers in Tennessee. His great-uncle, Captain Elijah's brother James Robertson, was known as the Father of Tennessee. Robertson's great-granddaughter was author Liz Carpenter
, who was a press spokesperson for both President Lyndon B. Johnson
and later for Ladybird Johnson.
in order to assist with the establishment of Robertson's Colony. He boarded in San Antonio with John William Smith
, who would later become the final messenger sent out by William Barrett Travis at the Battle of the Alamo
. Robertson was born as Sterling Clack Robertson, the exact same name as his father. The priests at the Mission School added "Elijah". Alerted by Smith in 1833 that the younger Robertson had quit attending school, empresario Robertson put him to work translating Robertson's Colony deeds into Spanish. In return for his services, he received 1107 acre (4.5 km²; 1.7 sq mi) in Milam County. In 1835, empresario Robertson formed his own rangers company to to deal with Indian depredations. Young Robertson joined the ranger company, but it is unclear if this was affiliated with the Texas Rangers
.
in Maury County, Tennessee. He remained enrolled there until May 1839.
postal service. Robertson was a member of the Democratic Party
. In 1840, he lost an election against Joseph P. Lynch for sheriff of Washington County. In 1841, he had a brief stint as assistant secretary of the Senate.
In 1842, Robertson organized a company of volunteers from Gonzales County
, linking up with Edward Burleson
at Mission Concepcion
in San Antonio, to oust Mexican general Ráfael Vásquez
from the city. While there, Robertson learned of the March 4 death of his father Sterling C. Robertson. That same year, he was commissioned a Captain in the Republic of Texas militia, becoming part of the Somervell Expedition. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel by 1844.
Robertson began working in a Cincinnati, Texas country store in 1845, earning $85.50 after ten months of work. In his spare time, he taught himself law by reading Blackstone's Commentaries. He was admitted to the Bar
to practice law in Milam County. In 1848 Robertson was translator of Spanish deeds in the Texas General Land Office
. Bell County elected him Chief Justice in 1858.
with his second wife Mary Elizabeth Dickey. He began construction of the family plantation in 1854. The plantation included the main house, slave quarters, and a family cemetery. Mrs. Robertson's mother Sophia Dickey Lynch moved in with the couple, to escape her abusive husband Joseph P. Lynch. This was the same man to whom Robertson had lost an election in 1840. Lynch followed her to the Robertson home to demand her return. Robertson defended his mother-in-law and killed Lynch. The jury that was impaneled for the subsequent trial returned a verdict of justifiable homicide
.
was begun on land donated by Robertson in 1859, for the purpose of establishing the school.
This was the only position he held during the Civil War, but he donated a large portion of his financial resources to the cause of the Confederacy. On November 18, 1865, Robertson received a full pardon from President Andrew Johnson
.
Late in life, Robertson joined the Methodist Church.
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
, and the leader of a volunteer group who aided Alexander Somervell in border disputes. By 1844, he had been promoted to the rank of Colonel in the Republic of Texas militia. Robertson was one of the delegates who signed the Texas Order of Secession in 1861, and served as aide-de-camp to General Henry McCulloch. The Col. Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson Plantation in Salado is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bell County, Texas
National Register of Historic Places listings in Bell County, Texas
List of Registered Historic Places in Bell County, TexasThis is intended to be a complete list of properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Bell County, Texas...
.
Early life and family background
Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson was born in Giles County, Tennessee, on August 23, 1820. Robertson was from a family of accomplished individuals. He was the son of Frances King and empresarioEmpresario
An empresario was a person who, in the early years of the settlement of Texas, had been granted the right to settle on Mexican land in exchange for recruiting and taking responsibility for new settlers. The word is Spanish for entrepreneur.- Background :...
Sterling Clack Robertson
Sterling C. Robertson
Sterling Clack Robertson was an empresario from Tennessee, during Mexican Texas. He introduced 600 families into Robertson's Colony. Robertson was also an elected delegate to the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention, signing both the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the...
, the founder of Robertson's Colony
Robertson's Colony
Robertson's Colony was an empresario colonization effort during the Mexican Texas period. It is named after Sterling C. Robertson, but had previously been known by other names...
in Texas. Empresario Robertson never married, but he acknowledged his son with King. Young Elijah's grandfather was Captain Elijah Robertson, who left Brunswick County, Virginia
Brunswick County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,419 people, 6,277 households, and 4,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 7,541 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
in the 18th Century to join family members and other early white settlers in Tennessee. His great-uncle, Captain Elijah's brother James Robertson, was known as the Father of Tennessee. Robertson's great-granddaughter was author Liz Carpenter
Liz Carpenter
Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Sutherland Carpenter was a writer, feminist, former reporter, media advisor, speechwriter, political humorist, and public relations expert....
, who was a press spokesperson for both President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
and later for Ladybird Johnson.
Texas
In 1832, Robertson was brought from Tennessee by his father to attend the Mission School of St. Mary for the specific purpose of learning the Spanish languageSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
in order to assist with the establishment of Robertson's Colony. He boarded in San Antonio with John William Smith
John William Smith
John William Smith was a Texas political figure and the first mayor of San Antonio, Texas. He supported and served Texas during the struggle for Texas Independence.-Early life:...
, who would later become the final messenger sent out by William Barrett Travis at the Battle of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
. Robertson was born as Sterling Clack Robertson, the exact same name as his father. The priests at the Mission School added "Elijah". Alerted by Smith in 1833 that the younger Robertson had quit attending school, empresario Robertson put him to work translating Robertson's Colony deeds into Spanish. In return for his services, he received 1107 acre (4.5 km²; 1.7 sq mi) in Milam County. In 1835, empresario Robertson formed his own rangers company to to deal with Indian depredations. Young Robertson joined the ranger company, but it is unclear if this was affiliated with the Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
.
College in Tennessee
In April 1837, empresario Robertson sent young Robertson to school at Jackson CollegeJackson College (Columbia, Tennessee)
Jackson College was a college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, located in Columbia, Tennessee.Jackson College was originally founded as the Manual Labor Academy at Spring Hill, Tennessee in 1830. Its original enrollment was seven students. As part of its curriculum each student was required...
in Maury County, Tennessee. He remained enrolled there until May 1839.
Return to Texas
When Robertson returned to Texas, he served as chief clerk, later acting postmaster, in the Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
postal service. Robertson was a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. In 1840, he lost an election against Joseph P. Lynch for sheriff of Washington County. In 1841, he had a brief stint as assistant secretary of the Senate.
In 1842, Robertson organized a company of volunteers from Gonzales County
Gonzales County, Texas
Gonzales County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,628. It is named for its seat, the city of Gonzales.-History Timeline:* Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers, and later Coahuiltecan, Tonkawa, Karankawa...
, linking up with Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson was a soldier, general, and statesman in the state of Missouri, the Republic of Texas, and later the U.S. state of Texas....
at Mission Concepcion
Mission Concepcion
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was established in 1716 as Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de los Hainais in East Texas. The mission was moved in 1731 to San Antonio...
in San Antonio, to oust Mexican general Ráfael Vásquez
Ráfael Vásquez (Mexican general)
Ráfael Vásquez was a 19th-Century General in the Mexican Army during the Mexican rebellion against the centralist style rule of government.-Early life:...
from the city. While there, Robertson learned of the March 4 death of his father Sterling C. Robertson. That same year, he was commissioned a Captain in the Republic of Texas militia, becoming part of the Somervell Expedition. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel by 1844.
Robertson began working in a Cincinnati, Texas country store in 1845, earning $85.50 after ten months of work. In his spare time, he taught himself law by reading Blackstone's Commentaries. He was admitted to the Bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
to practice law in Milam County. In 1848 Robertson was translator of Spanish deeds in the Texas General Land Office
Texas General Land Office
.The Texas General Land Office is a state agency of Texas. It manages state-controlled lands and mineral rights properties. The agency originally collected and kept records regarding lands controlled by the state. The agency has its headquarters in the Stephen F. Austin State Office Building in...
. Bell County elected him Chief Justice in 1858.
Robertson plantation
In 1853, Robertson moved to SaladoSalado, Texas
Salado is a village in Bell County, Texas, United States. Salado was first incorporated in 1867 for the sole purpose of building a bridge across the Salado Creek...
with his second wife Mary Elizabeth Dickey. He began construction of the family plantation in 1854. The plantation included the main house, slave quarters, and a family cemetery. Mrs. Robertson's mother Sophia Dickey Lynch moved in with the couple, to escape her abusive husband Joseph P. Lynch. This was the same man to whom Robertson had lost an election in 1840. Lynch followed her to the Robertson home to demand her return. Robertson defended his mother-in-law and killed Lynch. The jury that was impaneled for the subsequent trial returned a verdict of justifiable homicide
Justifiable homicide
The United States' concept of justifiable homicide in criminal law stands on the dividing line between an excuse, justification and an exculpation. It is different from other forms of homicide in that due to certain circumstances the homicide is justified as preventing greater harm to innocents...
.
Salado college
Salado CollegeSalado College
Salado College was a college in Salado, Texas, United States that operated from 1860 until 1885.Salado College began on October 8, 1859 at a tent meeting at Salado Springs of prominent men from throughout Bell County with a desire to create a high class school in the county. They organized the...
was begun on land donated by Robertson in 1859, for the purpose of establishing the school.
Secession Convention and Civil War
Robertson was a delegate to the Secession Convention in 1861, and signed the Texas Ordinance of Secession. In 1862, Robertson was appointed aide-de-camp to General Henry McCulloughHenry McCullough
Henry McCullough Henry McCullough Henry McCullough (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, Portstewart, Northern Ireland is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band. He...
This was the only position he held during the Civil War, but he donated a large portion of his financial resources to the cause of the Confederacy. On November 18, 1865, Robertson received a full pardon from President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
.
Constitutional convention of 1875
Robertson was elected to the 1875 convention to draft the Texas ConstitutionTexas Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that describes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. State of Texas.Texas has had seven constitutions: the constitution of Coahuila y Tejas, the 1836 Constitution of the Republic of Texas, the state constitutions of 1845,...
Personal life
Robertson married his second cousin Eliza Hamer Robertson on July 29, 1846. She was the daughter of James Randolph Robertson, first cousin to empresario Sterling Clack Robertson. She died on March 25, 1852. On November 8, 1852, he married Mary Elizabeth Dickey. The couple had twelve children. Robertson died at Salado on October 8, 1879. Mary Elizabeth died December 11, 1882. Both are buried in the family cemetery on the plantation.Late in life, Robertson joined the Methodist Church.
Legacy
- Col. Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson Plantation, listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bell County, TexasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Bell County, TexasList of Registered Historic Places in Bell County, TexasThis is intended to be a complete list of properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Bell County, Texas...
- Statue of Robertson by artist Clay H. Dahlberg, Salado College Hill